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Validation of the Japanese version of EORTC QLQ-CR38

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR38).

Methods

The questionnaire was tested among 109 colorectal cancer patients on several occasions. The timing was prior to treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, during treatment and 3 months following the second assessment. For purpose of test–retest reliability, a subgroup of patients completed the QLQ-CR38 1 week following the third assessment.

Results

Multitrait scaling analysis confirmed the hypothesised scale structure of both the function scales and the symptom scales except female sexual problem scale. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for seven of the nine scales exceeded the 0.7 criterion at one or both assessments. The test–retest reliability for all scales except three symptom scales was 0.67 or higher. On the basis of known-groups comparisons, four of 46 comparisons distinguished between patients differing in disease stage, initial and on-treatment performance status and presence or absence of a stoma. Additionally, these scales detected change over time as a function of change in performance status and treatment-induced change.

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest that the Japanese EORTC QLQ-CR38 may be a reliable and valid supplementary measure of quality of life in colorectal cancer patients.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the EORTC Study Group on Quality of Life for their permission to translate the QLQ-CR38 and for the time spent to approve the translated questionnaire.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    A. Tsunoda & M. Kusano

  2. Department of Surgery, Isezaki Municipal Hospital, Gunma, Japan

    N. Yasuda

  3. Department of Surgery, Yamanashi Red Cross Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan

    K. Nakao

  4. Department of Surgery, Showa University Toyosu Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    N. Yokoyama

  5. Department of Surgery, Hitachi Ltd. Mito General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan

    T. Marumori

  6. Department of Health Management and Policy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    H. Hashimoto

  7. EORTC Quality of Life Unit, Brussels, Belgium

    K. West

Authors
  1. A. Tsunoda
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  2. N. Yasuda
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  3. K. Nakao
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  4. N. Yokoyama
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  5. T. Marumori
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  6. H. Hashimoto
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  7. M. Kusano
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  8. K. West
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Tsunoda.

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Tsunoda, A., Yasuda, N., Nakao, K. et al. Validation of the Japanese version of EORTC QLQ-CR38. Qual Life Res 17, 317–322 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9298-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9298-x

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